Day 01: Arrive Chennai – Chennai Sightseeing

Arrive Chennai Airport and proceed for sightseeing covering the city's major cultural and colonial landmarks.

Visiting Places:

• Kapaleeshwarar Temple – Historic Dravidian-style Shiva temple and one of Chennai's important landmarks.
• Fort St. George – Historic British-era fort showcasing Chennai's colonial heritage.
• Marina Beach – Famous seafront promenade and one of India's longest urban beaches.
• San Thome Basilica – Historic basilica associated with the tradition of St. Thomas.
  
  

Night Stay: Chennai

Day 02: Chennai → Mahabalipuram | Approx. 60 Km, 1.5–2 Hours

After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram and spend the day exploring its famous Pallava monuments.

Visiting Places:

• Shore Temple – UNESCO-listed coastal temple and one of India's finest Pallava monuments.
• Pancha Rathas – Impressive monolithic rock-cut temples showcasing Pallava architecture.
• Arjuna's Penance – Massive open-air rock relief depicting mythological and cultural scenes.
• Krishna's Butter Ball – Huge naturally balanced granite boulder and a popular photo stop.
  
  

Night Stay: Mahabalipuram

Day 03: Mahabalipuram → Pondicherry | Approx. 100 Km, 2.5–3 Hours

After breakfast, proceed to Pondicherry. The day can be kept relaxed after arrival, allowing guests to experience the French-colonial atmosphere.

Visiting Places:

• French Quarter – Charming streets lined with colourful colonial buildings and cafés.
• Promenade Beach – Pleasant seafront area ideal for an evening walk.
• White Town – Historic French-influenced neighbourhood with distinctive architecture.
  
  

Night Stay: Pondicherry

Day 04: Pondicherry Local Sightseeing

Full day to explore Pondicherry's spiritual, cultural and colonial attractions.

Visiting Places:

• Sri Aurobindo Ashram – One of Pondicherry's most renowned spiritual centres.
• Auroville – International township known for the Matrimandir and its unique philosophy.
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Beautiful Gothic-style church.
• Pondicherry Museum – Collection reflecting the region's archaeological, French and cultural heritage.
  
  

Night Stay: Pondicherry

Day 05: Pondicherry → Madurai | Approx. 330 Km, 6–7 Hours

After breakfast, depart for Madurai. This is primarily a transfer day, with the evening available for leisure or an optional temple visit depending on arrival time.

Evening Option:

• Meenakshi Amman Temple – Iconic Dravidian temple famous for its magnificent gopurams, sculptures and spiritual significance.
  
  

Night Stay: Madurai

Day 06: Madurai Sightseeing → Rameswaram | Approx. 175 Km, 4 Hours

Morning sightseeing in Madurai followed by a drive to Rameswaram.

Visiting Places:

• Meenakshi Amman Temple – One of India's most celebrated temples and the architectural highlight of Madurai.
• Thirumalai Nayak Palace – Magnificent 17th-century palace featuring grand arches and ornate architecture.
• Gandhi Memorial Museum – Museum showcasing India's freedom struggle and Gandhi's life.
  
  

Continue to Rameswaram after sightseeing. Night Stay: Rameswaram

Day 07: Rameswaram Local Tour

Full day dedicated to Rameswaram and its surrounding attractions.

Visiting Places:

• Ramanathaswamy Temple – Major pilgrimage temple famous for its long corridors and sacred significance.
• Pamban Bridge – Iconic bridge connecting Rameswaram Island with mainland Tamil Nadu.
• Dhanushkodi – Remote coastal destination known for its dramatic landscape and historic ruins.
• APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial – Memorial dedicated to India's former President and renowned scientist, born in Rameswaram.
  
  

Night Stay: Rameswaram

Day 08: Rameswaram → Madurai | Approx. 175 Km, 4 Hours

After breakfast, return to Madurai. Keep the day relatively relaxed to prepare for the onward international flight the following day.

Optional Visiting Places:

• Thirumalai Nayak Palace – If not covered properly on Day 06, additional time can be arranged.
• Madurai Local Market – Opportunity for traditional shopping and local experiences.
  
  

Night Stay: Madurai

Day 09: Madurai → Fly Colombo

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Madurai Airport for the flight to Colombo.

Flight Planning:

• Preferred: Direct Madurai → Colombo flight, if operating/available on the required travel date.
• Alternative: Madurai → Chennai → Colombo or another suitable stopover connection, strictly according to the available flight schedule.
• The Sri Lanka program begins on arrival in Colombo.
  
  

Tamil Nadu Tour Ends – Sri Lanka Tour Begins

Day 09: Arrive Colombo → Kandy | Approx. 115 Km, 3–4 Hours

Arrive in Sri Lanka and proceed to Kandy, the cultural capital surrounded by green hills.

Visiting Places:

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
• Kandy Lake – Scenic lake located beside the city's historic centre.
• Kandy Cultural Show – Traditional dance and cultural performance, subject to schedule.
  
  

Night Stay: Kandy

Day 10: Kandy Local Sightseeing

Full day to experience Kandy's cultural and scenic attractions.

Visiting Places:

• Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya – Famous gardens with extensive tropical and exotic plant collections.
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – Time for a more detailed visit if required.
• Kandy View Point – Panoramic views over the hill city.
  
  

Night Stay: Kandy

Day 11: Kandy → Nuwara Eliya | Approx. 75 Km, 3–4 Hours

Drive through Sri Lanka's scenic central highlands towards Nuwara Eliya, famous for tea plantations and cool weather.

Visiting Places:

• Tea Plantation & Tea Factory – Learn about Sri Lanka's famous Ceylon tea production.
• Ramboda Falls – Attractive waterfall surrounded by mountain scenery.
• Nuwara Eliya Town – Colonial-era architecture and cool-climate atmosphere.
  
  

Night Stay: Nuwara Eliya

Day 12: Nuwara Eliya → Ella | Approx. 55 Km, 2–3 Hours by road

Proceed towards Ella through spectacular tea-country landscapes.

Visiting Places:

• Ella Gap – Scenic mountain viewpoint surrounded by lush hills.
• Nine Arch Bridge – Iconic railway bridge set amid tea plantations and forest.
• Little Adam's Peak – Short scenic hike with panoramic views; optional according to fitness.
  
  

Night Stay: Ella

Day 13: Ella → Yala | Approx. 110 Km, 3–4 Hours

Leave the hill country and travel towards Yala's wildlife region.

Visiting Places:

• Ravana Falls – Popular waterfall associated with the Ravana legend.
• Yala National Park Safari – Jeep safari offering opportunities to see elephants, crocodiles, birds and, with luck, leopards. Yala is officially highlighted by Sri Lanka Tourism as a major wildlife attraction.
  
  

Night Stay: Yala

Day 14: Yala → Bentota | Approx. 250–300 Km, 5–6 Hours

After breakfast, proceed towards the southwest coast and Bentota.

The journey is primarily a transfer day, allowing guests to settle into a beach resort after the wildlife experience.

Evening: Leisure at the resort/beach.

Night Stay: Bentota

Day 15: Bentota → Galle → Bentota | Approx. 100 Km, 2–3 Hours

Excursion to historic Galle and the southern coast.

Visiting Places:

• Galle Fort – UNESCO-listed historic fort complex with Dutch colonial architecture, cafés and narrow streets.
• Galle Lighthouse – One of the most recognisable landmarks inside the fort.
• Galle Old Town – Excellent area for walking and exploring colonial-era heritage.
  
  

Return to Bentota. Night Stay: Bentota

Day 16: Bentota → Colombo | Approx. 85 Km, 2–3 Hours

Morning departure for Colombo, Sri Lanka's commercial capital.

Visiting Places:

• Galle Face Green – Popular oceanfront promenade.
• Gangaramaya Temple – Important Buddhist temple with an interesting collection of religious and cultural objects.
• Independence Memorial Hall – Major national monument surrounded by landscaped grounds.
• Colombo Fort / Pettah – Historic and commercial districts offering a different side of Colombo.
  
  

Sri Lanka Tourism describes Colombo as the country's commercial and financial capital with a wide range of attractions.

Night Stay: Colombo

Day 17: Colombo Local Sightseeing → Departure

After breakfast, depending on the flight timing, continue with final Colombo sightseeing or keep the morning free for shopping and leisure.

Transfer to Colombo International Airport for your onward flight.

Tour Ends.

Important Tourist Information

·      Tamil Nadu temple dress: For major temples such as Meenakshi Amman and Ramanathaswamy, modest clothing is advisable. Temple entry rules can vary.

·      Rameswaram–Dhanushkodi: Weather and local access conditions can affect the visit, so the sequence should remain flexible.

·      Sri Lanka wildlife: Yala safari sightings are never guaranteed. The park is particularly known for wildlife including elephants and leopards.

 

·      Sri Lanka hill country: Kandy–Nuwara Eliya–Ella is the scenic section of the tour. Sri Lanka Tourism specifically highlights tea plantations, waterfalls, misty highlands and scenic viewpoints in this region.

·      Sri Lanka train: The famous Kandy/Nuwara Eliya/Ella train journey is scenic but should not be made compulsory in a B2B package because seat availability and operating conditions can vary. If confirmed, it can replace part of the road transfer.

·      Weather: